Family of man killed in police shooting claims excessive force, files lawsuit
Updated 9:45 PM;
Today 9:45 PM
The family of a man shot and killed by police early Sept. 5 have filed a lawsuit against officers with the Battle Creek Police Department and Calhoun County Sheriff s Department Joel Bissell | MLive.com
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CALHOUN COUNTY,MI The family of a 22-year-old shot and killed after police say he drove his vehicle toward an officer has filed a lawsuit claiming excessive force.
The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan against three Battle Creek Police officers and a Calhoun County Sheriff’s deputy, as well as the governments they serve.
Marshall family files suit in September fatal police shooting in Battle Creek
A Marshall family is suing the City of Battle Creek and Calhoun County for the fatal police shooting of a 22-year-old suspected drunk driver in September.
The family of Andrew Blowers is seeking $15.5 million in a wrongful death suit filed late Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Southern Division.
The federal civil wrongful death suit alleges that Blowers was killed in an unjustified use of deadly force by two officers from the Battle Creek Police Department and a deputy from the Calhoun County Sheriff Department following a pursuit which ended on Logistics Drive in the Fort Custer Industrial Park just after midnight on Sept. 5.
Battle Creek Police Cruiser (photo by John McNeill).
BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) Three officers of the Battle Creek Police Department (BCPD) and a deputy with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department have been cleared in a fatal shooting that occurred in September.
On September 5, officers Ryan O’Connell, Patrick Herson and Steven Herbstreith attempted to pull over 22-year-old Andrew Charles Blowers for reckless driving. However, Blowers sped away from the officers, which lead to a high-speed pursuit. Officers were later joined in the pursuit by Deputy Brandon Hatch.
That chase ended when Blowers lost control of his vehicle and spun backwards into some trees off of Logistics Drive.
Calhoun County prosecutor clears 3 Battle Creek police officers, deputy involved in fatal shooting
Updated Dec 21, 2020;
Posted Dec 21, 2020
Three Battle Creek police officers and one Calhoun County sheriff’s deputy involved in the Sept. 5 shooting death of 22-year-old Andrew Charles Blowers were cleared of any wrongdoing by Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert on Monday, Dec. 21, 2022. (MLive file photo | Joel Bissell)Joel Bissell
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Calhoun County Prosecutor David Gilbert announced the decision Monday, Dec. 21 after a three-and-a-half-month investigation.
“The officers were justified in using deadly force against Mr. Blowers,” Gilbert wrote in his summary decision. “His conduct put the officers in reasonable fear for their physical safety and the life and physical wellbeing of Officer (Steven) Herbstreith.”
BCPD Officers Cleared
Two Battle Creek Police Department Officers have been cleared by the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office, following an incident on September 5th, which left one man dead. The Office of Prosecuting Attorney, David Gilbert summed up the case, in a release on Monday.
Around midnight on September 5th, 2020, Battle Creek Police Department Officers Ryan O’Connell, Patrick Herson and Steven Herbstreith were involved in a high speed chase in Calhoun County with a Chevy Trailblazer being driven by Andrew Charles Blowers. They were joined in this pursuit by Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Hatch and the initial chase ended with Mr. Blowers losing control of his vehicle. The vehicle left the roadway, spinning backward into trees off Logistics Drive.